Collins’ contract purchased, completing Tigers’ Opening Day roster

Detroit Tigers’ Tyler Collins, right, high-fives teammate Nick Castellanos after hitting a home run in a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins. Collins is making the jump from Double-A to the Tigers’ Opening Day roster.
DAVID GOLDMAN — The Associated Press

But the other side is that there’s usually an opportunity for someone that arises.

In the case of the Detroit Tigers, this spring’s slew of injuries meant that — even with a pair of trades to shore up one spot — they’ll start the season with internal replacements manning a couple of spots.

Most notable of those is Tyler Collins, the outfielder who makes the leap from Double-A Erie to the Opening Day roster, as the fourth outfielder.

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Even though manager Brad Ausmus wouldn’t guarantee him a spot after the last round of cuts this week, it became academic Saturday afternoon, when minor-league teammate Aaron Westlake tweeted out a picture of Collins signing paperwork with Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila. That paperwork completed the process of the Tigers purchasing Collins’ contract from the Erie Seawolves.

Collins is understandably excited.

“Thanks mom and dad for all the time, effort and money to allow my dream to grow. I have the greatest friends and teammates in the world, and I want to thank all of you for the support. Without y’all, this isn’t possible,” Collins tweeted Saturday afternoon, following it up with a hashtag of #letsgoTIGERS.

The 23-year-old Collins, a former sixth-round pick of the Tigers in 2011 out of Howard College, will be the left-handed option in left field, replacing Andy Dirks, who is expected to be gone until June after spring back surgery. Dirks was supposed to be a platoon partner with free-agent acquisition Rajai Davis, in part because the speedy Davis has never been able to hit right-handed pitching that well (.255/.297/.353 slash line).

“If Rajai plays well, he may be the only guy we need,” manager Brad Ausmus told reporters.

If not, Collins might play quite a bit. He’s more power to Davis’ speed, hitting 21 homers last year at Erie, and three this spring.

The Tigers will also have a left-right platoon at shortstop with veteran Alex Gonzalez, acquired in trade from the Orioles, and Andrew Romine, acquired in trade from the Angels. They’re replacing Jose Iglesias, who may miss five months or more healing up stress fractures in his shins.

It’s possible neither may hit a lick, but that’s not what the Tigers were looking for.

“We’re not going to find anybody who plays as good of defense as Jose Iglesias. He’s an important member of our club. However, the part that we want to emphasize is the defensive aspect of it, so we’re going to look for somebody who can play solid defense who we feel comfortable with late in the game if there’s a ground ball hit to him in the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead that can make the play,” general manager Dave Dombrowski told reporters before the trades. “And that’s more important to us than finding somebody who can give us more offense.”

Evan Reed and Luke Putkonen, both of whom spent a lot of time with the Tigers last year, will get the first chances to fill the middle relief roles in the bullpen, in the absence of set-up man Bruce Rondon, who is out for the season after Tommy John surgery. Al Alburquerque will likely combine with free-agent acquisition Joba Chamberlain to take over Rondon’s set-up duties.

About the Author

Detroit Tigers beat writer for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Michigan. Mowery has spent 18 years covering sports, from preps to pros. He’s been honored with more than 25 awards for writing. Reach the author at matt.mowery@oakpress.com
or follow Matthew B. on Twitter: @MatthewBMowery.